Quantitative Ecological Impact Assessments using Natural Abundance Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Signatures

10.26686/wgtn.16935010 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Bruce David Dudley

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotope ◽

Nitrogen Isotope ◽

High Light ◽

Rocky Reef ◽

Sewage Effluent ◽

Light Conditions ◽

Nitrogen Stable Isotope ◽

Low Light ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Reef Community

The use of delta15N and delta13C signatures to infer sources of enrichment in ecological systems relies on predictability in the transfer of delta15N and delta13C ratios. This thesis examines patterns of delta15N and delta13C change as pools of nitrogen and carbon move from a sewage effluent discharge into organisms in an adjacent coastal rocky reef community (Titahi Bay, New Zealand). These changes and their mechanisms are examined in the broader context of current research using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in marine ecology, with particular reference to impact assessment. Firstly this thesis examines the assimilation of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in Ulva sp. under varying light conditions and nitrogen source (e.g., nitrate or ammonium). In a field study, algae grown at depth and under lower light conditions showed comparatively lighter nitrogen isotope signatures relative to the predicted concentration of available 15N-enriched sewage nitrogen. In a complementary laboratory experiment, results from manipulated light availability and N source (either nitrate or ammonium, in equivalent molar concentrations) suggest that: 1) low-light conditions can produce algae with lighter nitrogen isotope signatures; and 2) this effect was more pronounced for ammonium (3.7 per mil difference between high light and low light treatments) than for nitrate (0.6 per mil difference between high light and low light treatments) sources. Stable carbon isotope ratios (delta13C) of Ulva sp.grown in conditions of low nitrogen availability were shown to be generally lower than those grown in nitrogen rich conditions in both field and laboratory studies. Where nitrogen supply was sufficient for growth, low light conditions also produced generally lower delta13C signatures than high light conditions. Experimental trials with a uniform dissolved inorganic carbon source and altered light and nitrogen enrichment levels produced delta 13C levels in Ulva sp. tissue that spanned the recorded delta13C ranges of many common algal species; -5.99 per mil (high light, with added ammonium and phosphate) to -17.61 per mil (high light without nutrient additions). Chapter 3 of this study examines the growth response of Ulva sp. to surplus nitrate and ammonium (the two most common forms of nitrogen available to plants in seawater), under light limited conditions. Ulva sp. experienced a temporary reduction in growth rate and nitrogen assimilation capacity (shown in tissue nitrogen indices) when grown on nitrate, relative to ammonium. The magnitude and the temporary nature of these results suggest that in natural populations the relative proportion of nitrate or ammonium available is unlikely to significantly affect the growth capacity of Ulva sp. In chapter 4, I use delta13C and delta15N signatures to separately trace the dissolved and particulate fractions of sewage effluent dispersal onto a rocky reef community. Delta15N signatures from tissue of the macroalga Carpophyllum maschalocarpum, and the herbivorous isopod Amphoroidea media tracked the distribution and signature of DIN from a sewage treatment plant that generated heavy delta15N signatures. Delta13C signatures from tissue of the filter-feeding half-crab Petrolisthes elongatus tracked the distribution and signature of suspended sewage particulate organic matter.

Download Full-text

Quantitative Ecological Impact Assessments using Natural Abundance Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Signatures

10.26686/wgtn.16935010.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Bruce David Dudley

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotope ◽

Nitrogen Isotope ◽

High Light ◽

Rocky Reef ◽

Sewage Effluent ◽

Light Conditions ◽

Nitrogen Stable Isotope ◽

Low Light ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Reef Community

The use of delta15N and delta13C signatures to infer sources of enrichment in ecological systems relies on predictability in the transfer of delta15N and delta13C ratios. This thesis examines patterns of delta15N and delta13C change as pools of nitrogen and carbon move from a sewage effluent discharge into organisms in an adjacent coastal rocky reef community (Titahi Bay, New Zealand). These changes and their mechanisms are examined in the broader context of current research using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in marine ecology, with particular reference to impact assessment. Firstly this thesis examines the assimilation of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in Ulva sp. under varying light conditions and nitrogen source (e.g., nitrate or ammonium). In a field study, algae grown at depth and under lower light conditions showed comparatively lighter nitrogen isotope signatures relative to the predicted concentration of available 15N-enriched sewage nitrogen. In a complementary laboratory experiment, results from manipulated light availability and N source (either nitrate or ammonium, in equivalent molar concentrations) suggest that: 1) low-light conditions can produce algae with lighter nitrogen isotope signatures; and 2) this effect was more pronounced for ammonium (3.7 per mil difference between high light and low light treatments) than for nitrate (0.6 per mil difference between high light and low light treatments) sources. Stable carbon isotope ratios (delta13C) of Ulva sp.grown in conditions of low nitrogen availability were shown to be generally lower than those grown in nitrogen rich conditions in both field and laboratory studies. Where nitrogen supply was sufficient for growth, low light conditions also produced generally lower delta13C signatures than high light conditions. Experimental trials with a uniform dissolved inorganic carbon source and altered light and nitrogen enrichment levels produced delta 13C levels in Ulva sp. tissue that spanned the recorded delta13C ranges of many common algal species; -5.99 per mil (high light, with added ammonium and phosphate) to -17.61 per mil (high light without nutrient additions). Chapter 3 of this study examines the growth response of Ulva sp. to surplus nitrate and ammonium (the two most common forms of nitrogen available to plants in seawater), under light limited conditions. Ulva sp. experienced a temporary reduction in growth rate and nitrogen assimilation capacity (shown in tissue nitrogen indices) when grown on nitrate, relative to ammonium. The magnitude and the temporary nature of these results suggest that in natural populations the relative proportion of nitrate or ammonium available is unlikely to significantly affect the growth capacity of Ulva sp. In chapter 4, I use delta13C and delta15N signatures to separately trace the dissolved and particulate fractions of sewage effluent dispersal onto a rocky reef community. Delta15N signatures from tissue of the macroalga Carpophyllum maschalocarpum, and the herbivorous isopod Amphoroidea media tracked the distribution and signature of DIN from a sewage treatment plant that generated heavy delta15N signatures. Delta13C signatures from tissue of the filter-feeding half-crab Petrolisthes elongatus tracked the distribution and signature of suspended sewage particulate organic matter.

Download Full-text

Quantitative Ecological Impact Assessments using Natural Abundance Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Signatures

10.26686/wgtn.16945351 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Bruce David Dudley

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotope ◽

Nitrogen Isotope ◽

High Light ◽

Rocky Reef ◽

Sewage Effluent ◽

Light Conditions ◽

Nitrogen Stable Isotope ◽

Low Light ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Reef Community

The use of delta15N and delta13C signatures to infer sources of enrichment in ecological systems relies on predictability in the transfer of delta15N and delta13C ratios. This thesis examines patterns of delta15N and delta13C change as pools of nitrogen and carbon move from a sewage effluent discharge into organisms in an adjacent coastal rocky reef community (Titahi Bay, New Zealand). These changes and their mechanisms are examined in the broader context of current research using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in marine ecology, with particular reference to impact assessment. Firstly this thesis examines the assimilation of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in Ulva sp. under varying light conditions and nitrogen source (e.g., nitrate or ammonium). In a field study, algae grown at depth and under lower light conditions showed comparatively lighter nitrogen isotope signatures relative to the predicted concentration of available 15N-enriched sewage nitrogen. In a complementary laboratory experiment, results from manipulated light availability and N source (either nitrate or ammonium, in equivalent molar concentrations) suggest that: 1) low-light conditions can produce algae with lighter nitrogen isotope signatures; and 2) this effect was more pronounced for ammonium (3.7 per mil difference between high light and low light treatments) than for nitrate (0.6 per mil difference between high light and low light treatments) sources. Stable carbon isotope ratios (delta13C) of Ulva sp.grown in conditions of low nitrogen availability were shown to be generally lower than those grown in nitrogen rich conditions in both field and laboratory studies. Where nitrogen supply was sufficient for growth, low light conditions also produced generally lower delta13C signatures than high light conditions. Experimental trials with a uniform dissolved inorganic carbon source and altered light and nitrogen enrichment levels produced delta 13C levels in Ulva sp. tissue that spanned the recorded delta13C ranges of many common algal species; -5.99 per mil (high light, with added ammonium and phosphate) to -17.61 per mil (high light without nutrient additions). Chapter 3 of this study examines the growth response of Ulva sp. to surplus nitrate and ammonium (the two most common forms of nitrogen available to plants in seawater), under light limited conditions. Ulva sp. experienced a temporary reduction in growth rate and nitrogen assimilation capacity (shown in tissue nitrogen indices) when grown on nitrate, relative to ammonium. The magnitude and the temporary nature of these results suggest that in natural populations the relative proportion of nitrate or ammonium available is unlikely to significantly affect the growth capacity of Ulva sp. In chapter 4, I use delta13C and delta15N signatures to separately trace the dissolved and particulate fractions of sewage effluent dispersal onto a rocky reef community. Delta15N signatures from tissue of the macroalga Carpophyllum maschalocarpum, and the herbivorous isopod Amphoroidea media tracked the distribution and signature of DIN from a sewage treatment plant that generated heavy delta15N signatures. Delta13C signatures from tissue of the filter-feeding half-crab Petrolisthes elongatus tracked the distribution and signature of suspended sewage particulate organic matter.

Download Full-text

Dry or Wet? Evaluating the Initial Rice Cultivation Environment on the Korean Peninsula

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11050929 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 929

Author(s):

Shinya Shoda ◽

Hiroo Nasu ◽

Kohei Yamazaki ◽

Natsuki Murakami ◽

Geon-Ju Na ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotope ◽

Bronze Age ◽

Isotope Analysis ◽

Nitrogen Isotope ◽

Rice Cultivation ◽

Nitrogen Stable Isotope ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

The Difference ◽

Potential Factors ◽

Cultivation Environment

The origins and development of rice cultivation are one of the most important aspects in studying agricultural and socio-economic innovations, as well as environmental change, in East Asian prehistory. In particular, whether wet or dry rice cultivation was conducted is an important consideration of its impact on societies and the environment across different periods and places. In this study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of charred crop remains from archaeological sites dating from the Early Bronze Age (ca. 1.1k BC) to the Proto-Three Kingdoms (ca. 0.4 k AD) was conducted to clarify: (1) if there were any shifts from dry to wet cultivation around 1500 years after rice adoption as previously hypothesized and (2) the difference in stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values between rice and dry fields crops excavated from the same archaeological context to understand the cultivation environment. The result show that stable isotope values of charred rice grains have not changed significantly for around 1500 years. Moreover, rice possessed higher nitrogen stable isotope values than dry crops across all periods. While other potential factors could have influenced the 15N-enrichment of soils and crops, the most reasonable explanation is bacteriologic denitrification in anaerobic paddy soil where the rice was grown.

Download Full-text

Identifying Neolithic animal management practices in the Adriatic using stable isotopes

Documenta Praehistorica ◽

10.4312/dp.42.18 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

Emily Zavodny ◽

Sarah B. McClure ◽

Brendan J. Culleton ◽

Emil Podrug ◽

Douglas J. Kennett

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotopes ◽

Stable Isotope ◽

Management Practices ◽

Nitrogen Isotope ◽

Anthropogenic Influence ◽

Nitrogen Stable Isotope ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Farming Communities ◽

Animal Management ◽

Early Farming

We synthesise reported stable isotope values for domesticates and wild herbivores from sites spanning the Neolithic in coastal Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy (6000–3500 calBC). Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values are analyzed as proxies of diet and environment, with differences between species possibly indicating anthropogenic influence. Results are used to characterise diets and address questions of the origin and development of husbandry strategies, especially transhumance, in early farming communities. Changes in pig carbon and nitrogen isotope values through time suggest alterations in practices, whereas values remain relatively constant for cattle and ovicaprids during most of the Neolithic, despite assumptions of seasonal mobility.

Download Full-text

TRANSFER EFFICIENCY FROM PRIMARY PRODUCERS TO RUDITAPES PHILIPPINARUM ON AN INTERTIDAL FLAT IN HIROSHIMA BAY, JAPAN

Proceedings of International Conference "Managinag risks to coastal regions and communities in a changinag world" (EMECS'11 - SeaCoasts XXVI) ◽

10.31519/conferencearticle_5b1b93b4af8c32.73166623 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sosuke Otani ◽

Akira Umehara ◽

Haruka Miyagawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotope ◽

Secondary Production ◽

Isotope Ratios ◽

Ruditapes Philippinarum ◽

Transfer Efficiency ◽

Food Sources ◽

Stable Isotope Ratios ◽

Primary Producers ◽

Nitrogen Stable Isotope ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen

Fish yields of Ruditapes philippinarum have been decreased and the resources have not yet recovered. It needs to clarify food sources of R. philippinarum, and relationship between primary and secondary production of it. The purpose on this study is to reveal transfer efficiency from primary producers to R. philippinarum and food sources of R. philippinarum. The field investigation was carried out to quantify biomass of R. philippinarum and primary producers on intertidal sand flat at Zigozen beach in Hiroshima Bay, Japan. In particular, photosynthetic rates of primary producers such as Zostera marina, Ulva sp. and microphytobenthos were determined in laboratory experiments. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios for R. philippinarum and 8 potential food sources (microphytobenthos, MPOM etc) growing in the tidal flat were also measured. In summer 2015, the primary productions of Z. marina, Ulva sp. and microphytobenthos were estimated to be 70.4 kgC/day, 43.4 kgC/day and 2.2 kgC/day, respectively. Secondary production of R. philippinarum was 0.4 kgC/day. Contribution of microphytobenthos to R. philippinarum as food source was 56-76% on the basis of those carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios. Transfer efficiency from microphytobenthos to R. philippinarum was estimated to be 10-14%. It was suggested that microphytobenthos might sustain the high secondary production of R. philippinarum, though the primary production of microphytobenthos was about 1/10 compared to other algae.

Download Full-text

Changes in the Stoichiometry of Photosystem II Components as an Adaptive Response to High-Light and Low-Light Conditions during Growth

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C ◽

10.1515/znc-1986-5-618 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 41 (5-6) ◽

pp. 597-603 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Aloysius Wild ◽

Matthias Höpfner ◽

Wolfgang Rühle ◽

Michael Richter

Keyword(s):

Photosystem Ii ◽

Functional Organization ◽

Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽

High Light ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Light Conditions ◽

Low Light ◽

Pigment System ◽

Transport Chain ◽

The One

The effect of different growth light intensities (60 W·m-2, 6 W·m-2) on the performance of the photosynthetic apparatus of mustard plants (Sinapis alba L.) was studied. A distinct decrease in photosystem II content per chlorophyll under low-light conditions compared to high-light conditions was found. For P-680 as well as for Oᴀ and Oв protein the molar ratio between high-light and low-light plants was 1.4 whereas the respective concentrations per chlorophyll showed some variations for P-680 and Oᴀ on the one and Oв protein on the other hand.In addition to the study of photosystem II components, the concentrations of PQ, Cyt f, and P-700 were measured. The light regime during growth had no effect on the amount of P-700 per chlorophyll but there were large differences with respect to PQ and Cyt f. The molar ratio for Cyt f and PQ between high- and low-light leaves was 2.2 and 1.9, respectively.Two models are proposed, showing the functional organization of the pigment system and the electron transport chain in thylakoids of high-light and low-light leaves of mustard plants.

Download Full-text